Drainage element with a periphery of different materials

ABSTRACT

The drainage element is made with a periphery formed of a filter material that allows the passage of water and prevents the passage of soil and a second peripheral section of net material that allows the passage of water while the preventing the passage of the lightweight aggregate therein. The filter material is preferably made of spun bonded polyester and may be made of a biodegradable material such as starch.

This is a Division of U.S. Ser. No. 11/637,534, filed Dec. 12, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,475,477, which is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S.Ser. No. 11/591,420, filed Nov. 2, 2006.

This invention relates to a drainage element having a periphery formed of different materials. More particularly, this invention relates to a drainage element for use in a sewage field, water drainage field, roadside drainage ditches and the like.

As is known, drainage elements have been constructed of loose aggregate, such as foam plastic elements, beads, and other light weight materials all encased in a net-like sleeve. In some cases, a perforated plastic pipe has been incorporated in the drainage element. Various techniques have also been known for making such drainage elements in a manufacturing plant so that the individual drainage elements may then be shipped to a construction site for use. Examples of such techniques are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,015,123; 5,154,543; 5,535,499; 5,657,527; and 6,173,483.

Further, use of a netting to contain the aggregate within the drainage elements while allowing water and/or effluent to pass through also allows fine particles of solid material to pass through into the aggregate from the surrounding environment. As a result, over time, the solid material can build up in the drainage element to such a degree that the drainage element becomes clogged and prevents a flow of water therethrough. In some cases, use has been made of covers in order to prevent top dirt fill from falling into the drainage elements. In other cases, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,854,924, proposals have been made to incorporate a barrier material in a drainage element between the netting and the aggregate to prevent the passage of outside media, such as sand, dirt and soil, through the netting.

In cases where a tubular netting is used in the fabrication of a drainage element of the above type, the tubular netting needs to be rucked onto a tube, i.e. drawn concentrically over the tube and gathered together. Thereafter, the netting can be drawn off the tube as the netting is filled with aggregate. Typically, the length of netting rucked onto a tube is sufficient to fabricate several drainage elements. However, rucking of the netting onto a tube is time consuming and cumbersome.

Also, as described in co-pending patent application U.S. Ser. No. 11/591,420, filed Nov. 2, 2006, use is made of a membrane to encase a mass of light weight aggregate to form a drainage element that allows water to pass through but prevents the passage of soil particles into the aggregate.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,857,818 and 6,988,852 describe a drainage element having a casing with a first part-circumferential portion, such as a netting, having a plurality of openings therein for passage of water and a second part-circumferential portion, such as a plastic web, having a porosity to prevent the passage of water therethrough.

It is an object of this invention to provide a drainage element that employs a sleeve to encase light weight aggregate that is able to allow the passage of water while blocking the passage of soil.

It is an object of this invention to provide a drainage element of light weight aggregate with a porous net section that allows water to readily pass through and a tough tear resistant section that prevents soil particles from passing through while allowing water to pass through.

Briefly, the invention provides a drainage element that is comprised of a mass of discrete lightweight aggregate that defines passageways for a flow of fluid therethrough and a sleeve encasing the mass of discrete aggregate. In accordance with the invention, the sleeve includes a first peripheral portion of a water permeable filter material and a second peripheral portion of net material having openings for retaining the aggregate and allowing the passage of water, each peripheral portion of the sleeve being less than 360° .

In one embodiment, the filter material is a membrane having a plurality of interstices characterized in being of a size for the passage of water therethrough and the filtering of fine particles of solid material from the water passing through the membrane. The membrane is further characterized in being tear resistant. For example, the membrane, as described in the parent application, has a grab tensile strength of 61/61 LBF as measured under ASTM D-5034 and a grab elongation to break in percentage of 45/50 as measured under ASTM D-5034. Preferably, the membrane is made of spun bonded non-woven polyester.

In another embodiment not requiring tear strength, the filter material is made of a biodegradable material such as starch.

The drainage elements may be particularly used for draining water from fields into water collecting pipelines or ponds or the like. For example, a series of drainage elements may be laid in a linear array in a trench and covered over with backfill with the filter material side up and the first drainage element in the series connected via a coupling to a storm sewer pipe or lateral pipe. In this case, water that passes through the filter material of each drainage element would flow under gravity from one drainage element to the next and down to the storm sewer pipe or lateral. In order to insure that soil does not fill up the spaces between adjacent drainage elements, a strip of filter material material is bridged over the ends of two adjacent drainage elements and secured in place by an adhesive or other suitable securing means. This strip serves to prevent fine particles from passing into the space between the two adjacent drainage elements while allowing water to pass through.

The use of a filter material that is biodegradable is particularly useful in situations where the trench in which the drainage elements are placed is backfilled with clay soils and/or compacted to such a degree that, over time, a “worm hole” is formed in the soil by the drainage elements. In such cases, the filter material can biodegrade while allowing the surrounding soil to maintain the light weight aggregate in place.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a drainage element in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a broken away view of a web of material for forming a sleeve for the drainage element of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross sectional view of a seam of the web of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross sectional view of a modified seam of the web of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 illustrates an apparatus for fabricating the drainage element of FIG. 1 employing a series of guide plates;

FIG. 6 illustrates the angular arrangement of the guide plates of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 illustrates a modified apparatus for fabricating the drainage element of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 illustrates a further modified apparatus for fabricating the drainage element of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 illustrates a partially broken view of a water drainage system employing the drainage elements of the invention;

FIG. 10 illustrates a view taken on line 10-10 of FIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 illustrates a partial view of a water drainage system employing the drainage elements of the invention in a vertical manner.

Referring to FIG. 1, the drainage element 10 is formed of a mass 11 of discrete lightweight aggregate, such as loose fill thermoplastic elements, that define passageways for a flow of fluid therethrough and a sleeve 12 that encases the mass of aggregate 11. The sleeve 12 includes a first peripheral portion 13 of a water-permeable filter material and a second peripheral portion 14 of net material. The filter material in this embodiment is a membrane material that is characterized as having a plurality of interstices that are of a size for the passage of water and the filtering of fine particles of solid material from the water passing though the membrane. The membrane material is of a nature as described in the above noted copending parent patent application.

The net material is characterized in having openings for retaining the aggregate 11 and allowing the passage of water, for example, of a size of from 1/16 inch to 1 inch.

Each end of the drainage element 10 is closed by means of a tie 15 that closes around a gathered end of the sleeve 12 to retain the aggregate in place. Each tie 15 may be in the form of a conventional tie for holding the gathered ends of the sleeve 12 together.

The membrane 12 is made of a spun bonded non-woven polyester having a grab tensile strength of 61/61 pounds per foot (lbf) as measured under ASTM Stand D-5034 as well as a grab elongation to break in percentage (%) of 45/50 as measured under ASTM Standard D-5034. Any other suitable type of membrane material may also be used provided it has sufficient tear strength and the permeability of the membrane 12.

Referring to FIG. 2, the sleeve 12 is fabricated from a web 16 as illustrated in FIG. 2 having a strip 17 of web material secured to a strip 18 of net material. In this regard, the longitudinal edges of the two strips 17, 18 are disposed in overlapping relation as indicated in FIG. 3 and are secured together by an adhesive 19 to form a seam. The adhesive may be, for example, an EVA modified thermoplastic #GIA1051 purchased from Glue Machinery Corp. of Baltimore, Md.

In another embodiment, as indicated in FIG. 4, a third strip 20 of membrane material may be disposed over the overlapped edges of the strips 17, 18 so that the net strip 18 is sandwiched between two membrane strips 17, 20 and secured together by adhesive 19 to form a seam.

Alternatively, the strips 17, 18 may be sewn together in overlapping relation. In this case, the edges of the two strips 17,18 are be turned outwardly and brought into parallel relationship to each other to allow sewing of the outturned edges together.

Referring to FIG. 5, an apparatus 21 for forming the drainage element 10 includes a supply station having means (not shown) to support a roll 23 of the web material 16 for delivery to a tube 24 disposed on a horizontal axis. As indicated in FIGS. 5 and 6, a forming means 25 in the form of a plurality of longitudinally spaced pairs of guide plates 26 are angularly disposed about the tube 24 in a progressive pattern. Each pair of guide plates 26 serves to guide the delivered web 16 about the tube 24 in order to progressively bring the longitudinal edges of the web 16 into overlapping relation as indicated in FIG. 6.

The apparatus 21 also includes a securing means 27 for securing the overlapped edges of the web 16 together to form the sleeve 12 about the tube 24. This securing means 27 includes a valve 28 for expelling adhesive between the net strip 18 and the membrane strip 17 as well as a pressing roller 29 to press the two strips 17,18 and adhesive 19 together to form a strong seam.

As illustrated, a puller or capstan arrangement 30 is provided for moving the sleeve 12 from the tube 24.

Referring to FIG. 5, a choke ring R is disposed about the tube 24 near the outlet end and about the sleeve 12 in order to prevent air escaping from the outlet end of the tube 24 from backing between the sleeve 12 and the tube 24 to such an extent that the force of the air would tear apart the seam(s) formed in the sleeve 12 before the adhesive 19 has set. This choke ring R is supported by a vertical column and is of an inside diameter slightly greater than the outside diameter of the tube 24 plus twice the thickness of the sleeve 12 so that a small annular clearance is provided for passage of the sleeve 12.

A cooling means, such as a fan (not shown) may also be provided on the apparatus 21 for cooling the adhesive 19 after application. Also, holes (not shown) may be provided in the tube 24 to allow air to flow radially outward in the vicinity of the seam(s) to cool the adhesive 19. In either case, cooling of the adhesive 19 after application will speed up the setting of the adhesive and the seam(s).

The remainder of the apparatus is as described in above-noted copending parent patent application which is incorporated by reference herein.

Referring to FIG. 7, wherein like reference characters indicate like parts as above, the forming means 25′ for shaping the web about the tube may be the form of a forming collar of conventional structure, such as described in the above noted copending patent application.

The apparatus for forming the drainage element 10 may also employ separate stations (not shown) for supplying the respective strips of mesh material 17 and net material 18. In this embodiment, the two strips 17, 18 are separately supplied and move to a securing means (not shown) for securing longitudinal edges of the two strips together to form the web 16.

Referring to FIG. 8, wherein like reference characters indicate like parts as above, in still another embodiment, the two strips of membrane material 17 and net material 18 may be separately delivered to the tube 24 from separate supply stations 31, 32 and individually shaped by a respective forming collar 33, 34 into a semi-cylindrical shape with the edges of the respective strips 17, 18 disposed in overlying relation. These forming collars 33, 34 are in the form of a double forming collar manufactured by DSL of Houston, Tex.

In this case, a pair of valves 28 are disposed on opposite sides of the tube 24 for expelling adhesive 19 between the edges of the membrane and the net strips 17,18 and an overlying membrane strip 20 as above that is delivered from a roll 35. Likewise, a pair of pressing rollers 29 are provided with each roller 29 being disposed on an opposite side of the tube 24 from the other in order to press the overlapped edges of the membrane strips 17, 20 and net strip 18 together to form two seams when forming the sleeve 12. The remainder of the apparatus is as described in the above-noted copending parent patent application.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, wherein like reference characters indicate like parts as above, the drainage elements 10 are particularly useful in a water drainage system for draining a field of water. For example, as shown, a series of drainage elements 10 are placed in linear alignment in a trench 35 with the net side 14 of each element placed down and with the membrane side 13 placed up. After the drainage elements 10 are placed in the trench 35, backfill material 36 is deposited into the trench 35 to cover over the drainage elements 10. Since the membrane material only permits water to pass through, the soil from the backfill material 36 is prevented from passing into the drainage elements 10. The first drainage element 10 in the series is also connected via a suitable coupling 37 to a lateral pipe 38 that, in turn, connects to a storm sewer pipe 39 so that the water collected by the drainage elements 10 can flow under gravity from drainage element 10 to drainage element 10 and then to the pipes 38,39.

Where the lateral pipe 38 is a 4 inch pipe, the first drainage element 10 has a diameter of 4 inches and is coupled to the pipe 38 by a suitably sized coupling 37. In a case where the drainage element 10 has a larger diameter, the drainage element 10 may be provided with a short length of pipe (not shown) at the foremost end, for example, as described in the parent patent application U.S. Ser. No. 11/591,420, that is, in turn, coupled to the lateral pipe 38.

As illustrated, a strip 40 of the membrane material is bridged over the ends of two adjacent drainage elements 10 and secured in place by an adhesive or other suitable securing means (not shown). This strip 40 serves to prevent fine particles from passing into the space between the two adjacent drainage elements 10 while allowing water to pass through. The strip 40 may be applied at the place of manufacture of the drainage elements 10 or may be applied manually in the field. For example, when applied at the place of manufacture, the strip 40 may be applied automatically about the entire circumference of the joint between two drainage elements 10. When applied in the field, the strip 40 would lay over about 180° of the circumference of a drainage element 10, i.e. the upper half. The strip 40 is of any suitable width so long as the gap between two drainage elements is bridged over.

Alternatively, any other type of cover to prevent the passage of soil may be used in place of the strip 40. For example, a rigid U-shaped cover of solid material may be used.

The tear resistant nature of the membrane material allows the drainage element 10 to be roughly handled when being placed in a trench 35 in the field. This, in turn, reduces the risk that the membrane might be punctured or otherwise compromised by shovels or like equipment used to spread the backfill material 36 over the drainage element 10.

The construction of the drainage element is such as to avoid the need to have separate layers of material incorporated in a drainage element to prevent the passage of soil. Likewise, the need for placing a layer of paper over the length of the drainage element after placement in a trench to prevent soil infiltration is unnecessary.

The drainage element may be provided with a pipe that extends entirely through the drainage element and out each end or with a short length of pipe that extends from only one end, as described in the above-noted copending parent patent application.

Where tear strength is not a factor but biodegradability is a factor, the filter material may be made of a biodegradable material, such as starch. In such cases, the apparatus and methods described above are used in the same manner to make the drainage elements. Also, the third strip of material to form a seam in the sleeve may be made of the same filter material or other suitable material.

The drainage element 10 may be used in a horizontal disposition in a trench or the like as well as in a vertical disposition. For example, referring to Fig. 11, where a field, such as a golf course, or ball playing field, accumulates water after a rainstorm in a pond-like manner due to an almost impervious layer of soil 41 at that location, the drainage elements 10 may be used to drain the water. In such cases, a plurality of vertically disposed holes 42 are drilled or otherwise formed through the impervious layer 41 to a more water pervious layer 43, the drainage elements 10 are placed vertically in the holes and a suitable backfill 44 placed over the drainage elements 10 close the holes 42. Accumulated water can then drain downwardly through the drainage elements 10 to the more water pervious layer 43 to be drained away. This technique avoids the need to dig a trench through the field using equipment that would otherwise damage areas of the field surrounding the areas that accumulate water. In these cases also, the drainage elements 10 may be fabricated as above with a membrane material 12 completely or only partially enveloping the loose fill aggregate 11 or may be fabricated with a net completely enveloping the loose fill aggregate 11. 

1. A drainage element comprising a mass of light weight synthetic discrete aggregate defining passageways for a flow of fluid therethrough; and a sleeve encasing said mass of discrete aggregate, said sleeve including a first peripheral portion of less than 360° of a water-permeable filter material and a second peripheral portion of less than 360° of net material having openings for retaining said aggregate and allowing the passage of water.
 2. A drainage element as set forth in claim 1 further comprising tie means closing around a gathered end of said sleeve at each end thereof to retain said aggregate therein.
 3. A drainage element as set forth in claim 1 wherein said filter material is a membrane having a grab tensile strength of 61/61 lbf as measured under ASTM D-5034 and a grab elongation to break in % of 45/50 as measured under ASTM D-5034.
 4. A drainage element as set forth in claim 1 where said membrane is made of spun bonded non-woven polyester.
 5. A drainage element as set forth in claim 1 wherein said filter material is made of starch.
 6. A drainage element as set forth in claim 1 wherein said filter material and said net have at least a pair of overlapped longitudinal edges adhesively secured to each other.
 7. A drainage element as set forth in claim 1 wherein said filter material and said net have at least a pair of overlapped longitudinal edges sewn to each other.
 8. A drainage element as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a pipe extending from within said mass of aggregate and beyond one end of said tubular membrane, said pipe being of a length less than the length of said tubular membrane.
 9. A drainage element as set forth in claim 8 further comprising a screen disposed over an end of said pipe within said mass of aggregate for blocking entry of said aggregate into said pipe.
 10. A drainage element as set forth in claim 8 wherein said tie means at said one end of said tubular membrane is secured about said pipe.
 11. A drainage element as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a pipe extending from within said mass of aggregate and beyond each end of said tubular membrane.
 12. In a water drainage system, the combination of a plurality of drainage elements disposed in a linear array, each said drainage element having a mass of light weight discrete aggregate defining passageways for a flow of water therethrough; and a sleeve encasing said mass of discrete aggregate, said sleeve including an upper peripheral portion of less than 360° of a water-permeable filter material for the passage of water therethrough and the filtering of fine particles of solid material from the water passing through said material and a lower peripheral portion of less than 360° of net material having openings for retaining said aggregate and allowing the passage of water; and a plurality of strips of filter material, each said strip bridging over a respective pair of said drainage elements, each said strip having a plurality of interstices characterized in being of a size for the passage of water therethrough and the filtering of fine particles of solid material from the water passing through said strip.
 13. In a water drainage system for a field having an impervious layer of soil, the combination of a plurality of drainage elements disposed vertically and extending through the impervious layer; each said drainage element having a mass of light weight discrete aggregate defining passageways for a flow of water therethrough and a sleeve encasing said mass of discrete aggregate, said sleeve including a peripheral portion of a water-permeable material for the passage of water therethrough.
 14. The combination as set forth in claim 13 wherein said water permeable material is a filter material for filtering fine particles of solid material from the water passing through said material.
 15. A drainage element comprising a mass of discrete aggregate defining passageways for a flow of fluid therethrough; and a sleeve encasing said mass of discrete aggregate, said sleeve including a first peripheral portion of less than 360° of a water-permeable filter material and a second peripheral portion of less than 360° of net material having openings for retaining said aggregate and allowing the passage of water, said filter material and said net having at least a pair of overlapped longitudinal edges. 